Uxbridge building faces demolition after 6-alarm fire

Thursday

Jul 18, 2013 at 2:30 PMJul 18, 2013 at 10:29 PM

UXBRIDGE — A historic Main Street building is slated to be demolished after a six-alarm fire today ravaged it from the inside out. Tenants got out safely, but in the sweltering heat, the blaze took a toll on firefighters.

By Craig S. Semon, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

UXBRIDGE — A historic Main Street building is slated to be demolished after a six-alarm fire today ravaged it from the inside out.

The fate of the 118-year-old Bank Building was sealed within three hours Thursday afternoon. The three-story late Victorian-style building, in downtown Uxbridge across the street from the Fire Department, was placed on the National Registery of Historic Places 30 years ago.

Firefighters from as many as 25 communities battled the six-alarm fire and provided mutual aid.

The sweltering heat wave made their tasks more difficult.

Fire Chief William T. Kessler said heavy smoke was billowing from the third floor when firefighters arrived, with flames showing on the first, second and third floors. The call came in shortly before 2 p.m., he said.

The Bank Building at 32 South Main St. (Route 122) has two businesses on the ground floor, Bridals by Rochelle and Diversified Signs, and apartments on the second and third floors.The building housed seven apartments, six of which were occupied, Chief Kessler said. The American Red Cross of Central & Western Mass. is aiding 10 occupants of the building, according to Dawn Leaks, regional director of communication.

“The call initially came in as a smoke alarm sounding, and then a report of a smell of smoke,” Chief Kessler said.

“Shortly before our arrival, we got a report of smoke coming out of windows. We tried taking the third floor with the lines. Before we could get up there, there was heavy smoke on the whole third floor, fire showing out the bravo (left) side.”

Chief Kessler said no tenants were injured and all were accounted for. The apartment tenants were evacuated as soon as rescue personnel arrived.

“The tenants inside the apartment building, they were evacuated when we got here and when police got here,” Chief Kessler said. “The police did go through and do an evacuation, as well. They and the firefighters were only able to make the second floor. We couldn't make it to the third floor.”

A bridal party was in Bridals by Rochelle at the time of the fire. They got out safely.

Suzanne Burke, owner of Bridals by Rochelle, was able to get all the wedding gowns that were sold out of the building, and they are safe. However, the dresses that had not been sold are all gone, according to a friend of the owner, Joyce Maffeo.

The senior center, next door to the burning building, was evacuated as well, Chief Kessler said. Most of the fire was coming from the rear left corner of the building, he said.

Chief Kessler said two firefighters from Millville and one from Northbridge were taken to the hospital for precautionary heat exhaustion and heat-related issues. He said he heard later from his EMTs that they were doing OK.

“When you go through rehab, besides getting fluids, they also check their vital signs. And if somebody is not able to get their vital signs or blood pressure and their pulse under control, typically they are then transported out,” Chief Kessler said, “because they probably need intravenous fluids and they also need to monitor heart stress in this heat. And that heavy workload stresses the heart.”

After the fire was extinguished around 5 p.m., crews were planning exterior assessment in preparation for an overhaul of the building. According to Chief Kessler, the building inspector gave the demolition order, but crews were waiting for structural engineers to arrive and give their assessment.

"From reports I have been given from people who have gone around the building ... some of the exterior walls were bowing out,” Chief Kessler said. “I don't want to put anybody inside, risking a collapse.”

Considering the weather and it being a daytime fire when all of the town fire departments are short-staffed, Chief Kessler had nothing but praise for his department, as well as the estimated 25 neighboring fire departments that pitched in.

“The Millville guys and Northbridge guys were some of the initial crews. They did a hell of a job,” Chief Kessler said. “It seems easy when you see us squirting water in windows. Getting that stuff set up is a lot of work, a lot of work.”

Chief Kessler said they got three engines connected to downtown hydrants, as well as three lines drawing water from the Mumford River.

The fire's origin and cause is under investigation, Chief Kessler said.

Contact Craig S. Semon at csemon@telegram.com

Uxbridge pic.twitter.com/vbjIbzNcJx

— Matthew Gregoire (@ProvFireVideos) July 18, 2013

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